Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Specialist is responsible for assisting the Supervisor in providing instructional leadership and compliance oversight for appropriate educational programming for early childhood children within inclusive settings.  The LRE Specialist reports to the Instructional Supervisor for Early Childhood, Special Education.    

 

Facilitate inclusive opportunities to expand least restrictive placement continuum for early childhood special education students;

Provide mentoring, support and consultation to inclusive preschool sites;

Act as Special Education Chairperson for IEP meetings for students in Prekindergarten, Head Start, and Community Settings;

Provide instructional leadership including professional development in the areas of developmentally appropriate early childhood best practices, inclusive education, and differentiated instruction, co-teaching models and Maryland Online IEP Updates pertaining to Early Childhood;

Liaison with private preschool and community programs to expand inclusive opportunities;

Engage in collaborative planning with the Prekindergarten and Head Start Offices for the appropriate inclusion of young children;

Assist with mediation and due process hearings related to LRE issues as needed;

Assist in the development of reports and other department documents;  and

Serve as a liaison between elementary schools and Early Childhood Office for response to Intervention process and Initial IEP meetings to meet compliance timeline.

 

 

 

Broad knowledge of the early childhood curriculum, instructional techniques and management strategies for students with autism spectrum disorders;

Thorough understanding of special education regulations, policies and procedures;

Ability to work independently and to exercise initiative in carrying out duties and responsibilities;

Demonstrated leadership and administrative competency;

Demonstrated written and oral communication skills;

Effective interpersonal skills; and

Effective human relations skills.

 

 

 

Master's Degree required. Expertise in providing differentiated instruction for Early Childhood students in an exclusive setting.  Minimum of three (3) years of teaching or related experience in the field of Early Childhood.

 

 

Advanced Professional Certificate in Special Education; Administration I Certificate required.



No direct supervisory responsibilities.



The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.




The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.




None.